gratifications, he may possess: but lie is as destitute of spiritual enjoyments, as the brute creation are of intellectual pleasure. His state however is wonderfully changed when he receives the word of God in truth. At first indeed he feels trouble and anguish ; but as soon as ever he has obtained a sense of his acceptance with God, his tears are wiped away, and " the bones which were broken rejoice." It frequently happens, especially where the preceding sorrows have been deep, that the joy which succeeds them is rapturous and abundant. The surprise of Peter, on the eve of his expected execution, was not unlike that of a new convert : suddenly, a light shone in upon him, and his chains fell off, and the prison doors flew open, and an angel conducted him out, so that he could not persuade himself that he was awake, but thought he saw a vision : thus when the new convert is first brought forth into light and liberty, and finds the obstacles, which had seemed insurmountable, removed, he is ready to think it must be all a delusion: it is with him as with those of old, " when the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream : then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing;" yea, " the very hills break forth before him into singing, and all the trees of the field clap their hands." We must not however suppose, that all are equally elated ; or that the joy which any feel will continue with them: it will rather subside into a peaceful tranquillity of mind: they may go out with joy ; but they will be led forth with peace. The Saviour's joy, which is to be fulfilled in us, consisted rather in peace than exultation ; and such is the legacy that he has left to usa. At first we are like a stream rippling and murmuring near the fountain head; but in our more advanced state we resemble rather the deepened river flowing with silent majesty.]
2. To infuse new dispositions —
[A thorny bush is unproductive and worthless; as a brier is unseemly and injurious. The one is a just image of the more decent of mankind ; the other, of the more profane. All are low and grovelling in their nature, having no desires beyond this present world ; and too many, by their influence as well as by their example, would impede the progress of those who are walking in the good way. The fir-tree on the other hand lifts its head on high ; while the myrtle diffuses its fragrance all around ; and both of them retain their verdure all the year : yet such shall the vilest of mankind become, when once they embrace the Gospel of Christ. They shall soar to heaven with devout affections ; they shall spread around them
a John xvii. 13. and xiv. 27.